Thyroid Lesions Examined by Scanning Acoustic Microscope
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 05 Mar 2014 |

Image: The scanning acoustic microscope AMS-50SI system (Photo courtesy of Honda Electronics Co, Ltd).
A scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) uses ultrasound to image an object by plotting the speed-of-sound (SOS) through tissues on screen, and because hard tissues result in great SOS, SAM can provide data on the tissue elasticity.
Scanning acoustic microscopy uses ultrasound at 120 MHz with almost the same resolution of approximately 12.5 μm as the low magnification of a light microscope (LM), and it had been found useful in generating useful information on the lung, stomach, and lymph node lesions.
Scientists at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (Japan) selected and examined formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks that were flat-sectioned in 10 μm thick sections from patients with inflammatory non-neoplastic and neoplastic thyroid lesions. Specimens were randomly selected from the computer database of pathological sections and typical lesions of thyroid diseases were identified based on hematoxylin and eosin sections.
The formalin-fixed, paraffin sections were scanned with a 120 MHz transducer using the SAM model AMS-50AI (Honda Electronics Co, Ltd; Toyohashi, Japan). SOS through each area was calculated and plotted on the screen to provide histological images, and SOS of each lesion was compared and statistically analyzed.
High-concentrated colloids, red blood cells, and collagen fibers showed pronounced SOS while low-concentrated colloids, parathyroids, lymph follicles, and epithelial tissues including carcinomas demonstrated lower SOS. SAM clearly discriminated structure of thyroid components corresponding to low magnification of light microscopy. Thyroid tumors were classified into three groups by average SOS: the fast group consisted of follicular adenomas/carcinomas and malignant lymphomas; the slow group contained poorly differentiated/undifferentiated carcinomas; and the intermediate group comprised papillary/medullary carcinomas.
The authors concluded that SAM imaging has the following benefits: precise images were acquired in a few minutes without special staining; structural irregularity and desmoplastic reactions, which indicated malignancy, were detected; images reflected tissue elasticity, which was statistically comparable among lesions by SOS; and tumor classification was predictable by SOS because more poorly differentiated carcinomas had a tendency to show lower SOS. The study was published on February 11, 2014, in the journal Pathology and Laboratory Medicine International.
Related Links:
Hamamatsu University School of Medicine
Honda Electronics Co, Ltd
Scanning acoustic microscopy uses ultrasound at 120 MHz with almost the same resolution of approximately 12.5 μm as the low magnification of a light microscope (LM), and it had been found useful in generating useful information on the lung, stomach, and lymph node lesions.
Scientists at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (Japan) selected and examined formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks that were flat-sectioned in 10 μm thick sections from patients with inflammatory non-neoplastic and neoplastic thyroid lesions. Specimens were randomly selected from the computer database of pathological sections and typical lesions of thyroid diseases were identified based on hematoxylin and eosin sections.
The formalin-fixed, paraffin sections were scanned with a 120 MHz transducer using the SAM model AMS-50AI (Honda Electronics Co, Ltd; Toyohashi, Japan). SOS through each area was calculated and plotted on the screen to provide histological images, and SOS of each lesion was compared and statistically analyzed.
High-concentrated colloids, red blood cells, and collagen fibers showed pronounced SOS while low-concentrated colloids, parathyroids, lymph follicles, and epithelial tissues including carcinomas demonstrated lower SOS. SAM clearly discriminated structure of thyroid components corresponding to low magnification of light microscopy. Thyroid tumors were classified into three groups by average SOS: the fast group consisted of follicular adenomas/carcinomas and malignant lymphomas; the slow group contained poorly differentiated/undifferentiated carcinomas; and the intermediate group comprised papillary/medullary carcinomas.
The authors concluded that SAM imaging has the following benefits: precise images were acquired in a few minutes without special staining; structural irregularity and desmoplastic reactions, which indicated malignancy, were detected; images reflected tissue elasticity, which was statistically comparable among lesions by SOS; and tumor classification was predictable by SOS because more poorly differentiated carcinomas had a tendency to show lower SOS. The study was published on February 11, 2014, in the journal Pathology and Laboratory Medicine International.
Related Links:
Hamamatsu University School of Medicine
Honda Electronics Co, Ltd
Latest Pathology News
- Engineered Yeast Cells Enable Rapid Testing of Cancer Immunotherapy
- First-Of-Its-Kind Test Identifies Autism Risk at Birth
- AI Algorithms Improve Genetic Mutation Detection in Cancer Diagnostics
- Skin Biopsy Offers New Diagnostic Method for Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Fast Label-Free Method Identifies Aggressive Cancer Cells
- New X-Ray Method Promises Advances in Histology
- Single-Cell Profiling Technique Could Guide Early Cancer Detection
- Intraoperative Tumor Histology to Improve Cancer Surgeries
- Rapid Stool Test Could Help Pinpoint IBD Diagnosis
- AI-Powered Label-Free Optical Imaging Accurately Identifies Thyroid Cancer During Surgery
- Deep Learning–Based Method Improves Cancer Diagnosis
- ADLM Updates Expert Guidance on Urine Drug Testing for Patients in Emergency Departments
- New Age-Based Blood Test Thresholds to Catch Ovarian Cancer Earlier
- Genetics and AI Improve Diagnosis of Aortic Stenosis
- AI Tool Simultaneously Identifies Genetic Mutations and Disease Type
- Rapid Low-Cost Tests Can Prevent Child Deaths from Contaminated Medicinal Syrups
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
New PSA-Based Prognostic Model Improves Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among American men, and about one in eight will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Screening relies on blood levels of prostate-specific antigen... Read more
Extracellular Vesicles Linked to Heart Failure Risk in CKD Patients
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 1 in 7 Americans and is strongly associated with cardiovascular complications, which account for more than half of deaths among people with CKD.... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
Diagnostic Device Predicts Treatment Response for Brain Tumors Via Blood Test
Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, largely because doctors have no reliable way to determine whether treatments are working in real time. Assessing therapeutic response currently... Read more
Blood Test Detects Early-Stage Cancers by Measuring Epigenetic Instability
Early-stage cancers are notoriously difficult to detect because molecular changes are subtle and often missed by existing screening tools. Many liquid biopsies rely on measuring absolute DNA methylation... Read more
“Lab-On-A-Disc” Device Paves Way for More Automated Liquid Biopsies
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny particles released by cells into the bloodstream that carry molecular information about a cell’s condition, including whether it is cancerous. However, EVs are highly... Read more
Blood Test Identifies Inflammatory Breast Cancer Patients at Increased Risk of Brain Metastasis
Brain metastasis is a frequent and devastating complication in patients with inflammatory breast cancer, an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options. Despite its high incidence, the biological... Read moreHematology
view channel
New Guidelines Aim to Improve AL Amyloidosis Diagnosis
Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare, life-threatening bone marrow disorder in which abnormal amyloid proteins accumulate in organs. Approximately 3,260 people in the United States are diagnosed... Read more
Fast and Easy Test Could Revolutionize Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions are a cornerstone of modern medicine, yet red blood cells can deteriorate quietly while sitting in cold storage for weeks. Although blood units have a fixed expiration date, cells from... Read more
Automated Hemostasis System Helps Labs of All Sizes Optimize Workflow
High-volume hemostasis sections must sustain rapid turnaround while managing reruns and reflex testing. Manual tube handling and preanalytical checks can strain staff time and increase opportunities for error.... Read more
High-Sensitivity Blood Test Improves Assessment of Clotting Risk in Heart Disease Patients
Blood clotting is essential for preventing bleeding, but even small imbalances can lead to serious conditions such as thrombosis or dangerous hemorrhage. In cardiovascular disease, clinicians often struggle... Read moreImmunology
view channelBlood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Patients Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy Drug
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options, and even newly approved immunotherapies do not benefit all patients. While immunotherapy can extend survival for some,... Read more
Whole-Genome Sequencing Approach Identifies Cancer Patients Benefitting From PARP-Inhibitor Treatment
Targeted cancer therapies such as PARP inhibitors can be highly effective, but only for patients whose tumors carry specific DNA repair defects. Identifying these patients accurately remains challenging,... Read more
Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but only a small proportion of patients experience lasting benefit, with response rates often remaining between 10% and 20%. Clinicians currently lack reliable... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Comprehensive Review Identifies Gut Microbiome Signatures Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 6.7 million people in the United States and nearly 50 million worldwide, yet early cognitive decline remains difficult to characterize. Increasing evidence suggests... Read moreAI-Powered Platform Enables Rapid Detection of Drug-Resistant C. Auris Pathogens
Infections caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida auris pose a significant threat to hospitalized patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems or those who have invasive medical devices.... Read morePathology
view channel
Engineered Yeast Cells Enable Rapid Testing of Cancer Immunotherapy
Developing new cancer immunotherapies is a slow, costly, and high-risk process, particularly for CAR T cell treatments that must precisely recognize cancer-specific antigens. Small differences in tumor... Read more
First-Of-Its-Kind Test Identifies Autism Risk at Birth
Autism spectrum disorder is treatable, and extensive research shows that early intervention can significantly improve cognitive, social, and behavioral outcomes. Yet in the United States, the average age... Read moreIndustry
view channelNew Collaboration Brings Automated Mass Spectrometry to Routine Laboratory Testing
Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that identifies and quantifies molecules based on their mass and electrical charge. Its high selectivity, sensitivity, and accuracy make it indispensable... Read more
AI-Powered Cervical Cancer Test Set for Major Rollout in Latin America
Noul Co., a Korean company specializing in AI-based blood and cancer diagnostics, announced it will supply its intelligence (AI)-based miLab CER cervical cancer diagnostic solution to Mexico under a multi‑year... Read more
Diasorin and Fisher Scientific Enter into US Distribution Agreement for Molecular POC Platform
Diasorin (Saluggia, Italy) has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Fisher Scientific, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, MA, USA), for the LIAISON NES molecular point-of-care... Read more







